Bernadine

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Ricks

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Hello folks since learning my 8 yr old buddy has diabetes i have come to this site reading and learning thank you for providing a site with so much valuable information.
A little about Bern he is 8 yrs old,weighs 10lbs(has lost 6-7lbs)since getting diabetes,lives with 2 other kitties,all have now been switched to wet canned food(friskies pate)He has been diabetic for likely about 1 yr but we just found out a month ago(drinking/eating more+frequent urination)
Unfortunately i cannot afford the monthly oral perscription from my vet,so i have been using Novolin NPH with a cartridge pen.I also purchase a glucose meter so i can monitor his sugar throughtout the day while trying to figure out a dose that works for him.But it is not easy.
He gets a shot at 5am during breakfast and another at 5pm during supper.Usually 1/2 can each feeding.Had to increase to 3units to get down into the 5-10mmol but now it is dropping it too low so switched back to 2units.Its as though i need a pen that doses in half increments as my current pen only goes up by ones.His readings around suppertime are usually around 13-14mmol and my fear is now giving him 2 units will drop it beyong 5mmol.Can anyone help us with this i am struggling to get him better.Thank you,
Rick
 
Ricks said:
Hello folks since learning my 8 yr old buddy has diabetes i have come to this site reading and learning thank you for providing a site with so much valuable information.
A little about Bern he is 8 yrs old,weighs 10lbs(has lost 6-7lbs)since getting diabetes,lives with 2 other kitties,all have now been switched to wet canned food(friskies pate)He has been diabetic for likely about 1 yr but we just found out a month ago(drinking/eating more+frequent urination)
Unfortunately i cannot afford the monthly oral perscription from my vet,so i have been using Novolin NPH with a cartridge pen.I also purchase a glucose meter so i can monitor his sugar throughtout the day while trying to figure out a dose that works for him.But it is not easy.
He gets a shot at 5am during breakfast and another at 5pm during supper.Usually 1/2 can each feeding.Had to increase to 3units to get down into the 5-10mmol but now it is dropping it too low so switched back to 2units.Its as though i need a pen that doses in half increments as my current pen only goes up by ones.His readings around suppertime are usually around 13-14mmol and my fear is now giving him 2 units will drop it beyong 5mmol.Can anyone help us with this i am struggling to get him better.Thank you,
Rick
Click to expand...
Hi Rick, welcome to the Forum, you are in the right place, it is overwhelming, when we hear our precious babies have diabetes, in this Forum you will find all the tools to be able to not only the diabetes but the stress as well, we are here to help you, however we need to know a bit more about diagnosis, type of insulin, dose amount, etc. below there is a couple of links for you to start you off, it is good you are feeding can foods, however it is very important that you feed foods between 0-10% carbs, since cats cannot digest the carbs and continues on damaging the pancreas, on the Food Chart link, you will find many food brands to choose from, the third column of the list you will find the Carb %s, many member here enjoy the Fancy Feast Pates, many flavors to choose from plus is USA made so no waste goes into the foods. It is important that Before you give insulin that the stomach is full, but the again we need to know the insulin you are giving, some have their own protocol, but the norm is Test, Feed, Shoot, it is Very Important that you have what is called a HYPO KIT, this kit will have Karo Syrup, some Medium and some high Carb foods, this is for when the glucose number go below 50, you can spike it up with a quick fix. and avoid hypoglycemia. Doses should not be increased/decreased/or stopped do to the changes in glucose numbers, there is a way you will learn how to monitor and still dose, it takes 1-2 cycles for the insulin to regulate, so if you change dose or do not dose, you will have difficulty regulating his BG, try to read all the sticky notes in the Main Forum, we are here to help you, no concern is a small concern:bighug::cat::cat:

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-
you.216696/
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dr-pierson-new-food-chart.174147/
 
Ricks said:
Hello folks since learning my 8 yr old buddy has diabetes i have come to this site reading and learning thank you for providing a site with so much valuable information.
A little about Bern he is 8 yrs old,weighs 10lbs(has lost 6-7lbs)since getting diabetes,lives with 2 other kitties,all have now been switched to wet canned food(friskies pate)He has been diabetic for likely about 1 yr but we just found out a month ago(drinking/eating more+frequent urination)
Unfortunately i cannot afford the monthly oral perscription from my vet,so i have been using Novolin NPH with a cartridge pen.I also purchase a glucose meter so i can monitor his sugar throughtout the day while trying to figure out a dose that works for him.But it is not easy.
He gets a shot at 5am during breakfast and another at 5pm during supper.Usually 1/2 can each feeding.Had to increase to 3units to get down into the 5-10mmol but now it is dropping it too low so switched back to 2units.Its as though i need a pen that doses in half increments as my current pen only goes up by ones.His readings around suppertime are usually around 13-14mmol and my fear is now giving him 2 units will drop it beyong 5mmol.Can anyone help us with this i am struggling to get him better.Thank you,
Rick
Click to expand...
@Wendy&Neko
@Bron and Sheba (GA)
 
Information we need about Bern
This is where you can set up what we call your signature, it's at the end of everyone's post in gray letters. Just tap on your name up top then tap on signature and add this information.

  • Add info we need to help you:
    • Caregiver & kitty's name
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin (do not include dose or frequency)
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Bexacat or Senvelgo (if applicable) and dates
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
    • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
    • Please do not put any information about your location in the signature for security reasons. If you wish to add your country location, please add it to your profile.
Be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom. If you need help urgently it is important we know these things at a glance. We don’t want to waste valuable time finding out information.

We also have a spreadsheet where we track our cats BG and this link will also explain how to use it , it's easy
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

You will link it to your signature , if you need help with it just ask we have a wonderful member who will be happy to do it for you
@Ricks
 
This post contains some information for new people, and tells you what we need to learn from you about your buddy (name?).
New? How You Can Help Us Help You!

Good for you on switching to low carb food and learning to home test. Switching food is why he needs less insulin.

If you let us know what country you live in, we can help you with supplies to shoot smaller doses, and maybe even how to get deals on a better insulin for cats.
 
Thank you guys for trying to help us.I will read through the suggested information i have problems understanding/ learning so i will likely have more questions.We are in Canada.I will update my signiture also.Cant figure out how to post pictures which would be easier for me to explain things
 
CORKY said:
Hi Rick, welcome to the Forum, you are in the right place, it is overwhelming, when we hear our precious babies have diabetes, in this Forum you will find all the tools to be able to not only the diabetes but the stress as well, we are here to help you, however we need to know a bit more about diagnosis, type of insulin, dose amount, etc. below there is a couple of links for you to start you off, it is good you are feeding can foods, however it is very important that you feed foods between 0-10% carbs, since cats cannot digest the carbs and continues on damaging the pancreas, on the Food Chart link, you will find many food brands to choose from, the third column of the list you will find the Carb %s, many member here enjoy the Fancy Feast Pates, many flavors to choose from plus is USA made so no waste goes into the foods. It is important that Before you give insulin that the stomach is full, but the again we need to know the insulin you are giving, some have their own protocol, but the norm is Test, Feed, Shoot, it is Very Important that you have what is called a HYPO KIT, this kit will have Karo Syrup, some Medium and some high Carb foods, this is for when the glucose number go below 50, you can spike it up with a quick fix. and avoid hypoglycemia. Doses should not be increased/decreased/or stopped do to the changes in glucose numbers, there is a way you will learn how to monitor and still dose, it takes 1-2 cycles for the insulin to regulate, so if you change dose or do not dose, you will have difficulty regulating his BG, try to read all the sticky notes in the Main Forum, we are here to help you, no concern is a small concern:bighug::cat::cat:

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-
you.216696/
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dr-pierson-new-food-chart.174147/
Click to expand...

Thank you for helping me.Im unaable to figure out the signiture board but i can say My name is Rick and my cat is Bernadine he is 9 yrs old.Diagnosed 1 month ago with diabetes and i have switched him from dry food to friskies wet food turkey and giblets(as it seems this one has the lowest amount of carbs available where i live)There are limited options for wet cat food.He has lost weight and is now at 10ish pounds.I am treating him with Novolin NPH 100 at 2 units now twice per day/12 hrs apart.I do not have syringes rather a cartridge pen to administer the insulin that only has increments of 1.I am sure to feed him before injections and i monitor and mark down the info as we go(i couldnt print off the chart provided here)
You mention glucose injections should not be stopped due to low glucose reading?I have pure maple syrup with oral syringe ,high carb treats incase he falls below 3mmol.

I give insulin at 5am then again at 5pm.Last nite his glucose was around 12mmol at 5pm after eating so i didnt give him shot.

This morning at 5am it was back up to 22mmol,gave 2 units and continued to monitor and it leveled out around 5.5mmol at 12pm.It will now start trending back up and land around 10-12 by the time of his 5pm feeding.

You mention doses should not be stopped due to changes in glucose?So at 5pm feeding today if glucose is only 8-10mmol to give him the 2 unit shot yes?And monitor glucose?Could i reduce the insulin shot to one unit in evenings,and give 2 units in mornings?We live alone so i am not there all the time to monitor and if i get called out to work and he goes below 3mmol no one will be there to help him☹️

This is all confusing to me and i have learning disability so it makes it very hard.I dont know what the abreviations stand for so hopefully the info i provided above is ok.I dont own a computer or printer so i am accessing this forum via a cell phone.Any help from u folks is so greatly appreciated thank u so much:)
 
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Ricks said:
Thank you for helping me.Im unaable to figure out the signiture board
Click to expand...


This is where you can set up what we call your signature, it's at the end of everyone's post in gray letters. Just tap on your name up top then tap on signature and add this information.

Do you see mine about Tyler , it's in gray letters at the end of my post

  • Add info we need to help you:
    • Caregiver & kitty's name
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin (do not include dose or frequency)
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Bexacat or Senvelgo (if applicable) and dates
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
    • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
    • Please do not put any information about your location in the signature for security reasons. If you wish to add your country location, please add it to your profile.
Be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom. If you need help urgently it is important we know these things at a glance. We don’t want to waste valuable time finding out information.

We also have a spreadsheet where we track our cats BG and this link will also explain how to use it , it's easy
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

You will link it to your signature , if you need help with it just ask we have a wonderful member who will be happy to do it for you
@Ricks

Also add that you live in Canada
 
Diane Tyler's Mom GA said:
This is where you can set up what we call your signature, it's at the end of everyone's post in gray letters. Just tap on your name up top then tap on signature and add this information.

Do you see mine about Tyler , it's in gray letters at the end of my post

  • Add info we need to help you:
    • Caregiver & kitty's name
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin (do not include dose or frequency)
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Bexacat or Senvelgo (if applicable) and dates
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
    • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
    • Please do not put any information about your location in the signature for security reasons. If you wish to add your country location, please add it to your profile.
Be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom. If you need help urgently it is important we know these things at a glance. We don’t want to waste valuable time finding out information.

We also have a spreadsheet where we track our cats BG and this link will also explain how to use it , it's easy
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

You will link it to your signature , if you need help with it just ask we have a wonderful member who will be happy to do it for you
@Ricks

Also add that you live in Canada
Click to expand...
Thanks yes i see the signiture details but most of it is in abbreviations which i dont understand.Also i dont have access to a computer or printer as i mentioned above regarding both.But thank you for trying to help
 
Ricks said:
.I do not have syringes rather a cartridge pen to administer the insulin that only has increments of 1
Click to expand...
@Ricks
found this posted by a member about U-100 syringes with half unit markings from Canada
Check out your local pharmacy for the BD Ultrafine II syringes (purple and yellow box). Those are U100 syringes. If you have a Costco near you, check them out. Or Safeway pharmacy
333-320440__1.png
 
Last edited:
Ricks said:
Thank you for helping me.Im unaable to figure out the signiture board but i can say My name is Rick and my cat is Bernadine he is 9 yrs old.Diagnosed 1 month ago with diabetes and i have switched him from dry food to friskies wet food turkey and giblets(as it seems this one has the lowest amount of carbs available where i live)There are limited options for wet cat food.He has lost weight and is now at 10ish pounds.I am treating him with Novolin NPH 100 at 2 units now twice per day/12 hrs apart.I do not have syringes rather a cartridge pen to administer the insulin that only has increments of 1.I am sure to feed him before injections and i monitor and mark down the info as we go(i couldnt print off the chart provided here)
You mention glucose injections should not be stopped due to low glucose reading?I have pure maple syrup with oral syringe ,high carb treats incase he falls below 3mmol.

I give insulin at 5am then again at 5pm.Last nite his glucose was around 12mmol at 5pm after eating so i didnt give him shot.

This morning at 5am it was back up to 22mmol,gave 2 units and continued to monitor and it leveled out around 5.5mmol at 12pm.It will now start trending back up and land around 10-12 by the time of his 5pm feeding.

You mention doses should not be stopped due to changes in glucose?So at 5pm feeding today if glucose is only 8-10mmol to give him the 2 unit shot yes?And monitor glucose?Could i reduce the insulin shot to one unit in evenings,and give 2 units in mornings?We live alone so i am not there all the time to monitor and if i get called out to work and he goes below 3mmol no one will be there to help him☹️

This is all confusing to me and i have learning disability so it makes it very hard.I dont know what the abreviations stand for so hopefully the info i provided above is ok.I dont own a computer or printer so i am accessing this forum via a cell phone.Any help from u folks is so greatly appreciated thank u so much:)
Click to expand...
We are in Canada.

@Wendy&Neko

I gave gave Rick the link for the U-100 syringes with half units above and a pic of them , above, He's using Novolin N as you know , these are the correct syringes right?

Can you tell him about other insulins he can get in Canada Thanks Wendy
 
Last edited:
Have a hypo kit ready if needed
Med and High Carb food and have honey in your house



Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Beef Feast in Gravy 20% High Carbs

Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Chicken Feast in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Turkey Feast in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Chicken and Beef in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

Good idea to mark the cans with magic marker how many carbs

Or any on the food chart. Doesn't have to be Fancy Feast just an example about the med and high carb foods



https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dr-pierson-new-food-

10% and under is low carb
11% -15 is medium carbs.

16- 24 is high carb.

@Ricks
 
There are lots of other insulin options in Canada (waving "Hi" from BC). Lantus is a much better insulin than Novolin, which isn't even on the list of insulins recommended for cats anymore. Good insulin for dogs, but the two species need different treatments. Unfortunately, a lot of vets aren't as up to date on feline diabetes. Lantus is available at most people pharmacies, and typically without a prescription. I'd get the vet on board with the idea first though.

What brand of glucose meter are you using? We might have tips for cheaper sources for test strips.

You don't have to use any of the foods references above for high carb food. My cat was allergic to wheat so used other options. This food chart contains a lot of the foods also available in Canada. We want under 10% carbs for low carb food, and 15% and above for high carb. Or you can use a drop of syrup, corn syrup or honey mixed in with a little bit of food.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
There are lots of other insulin options in Canada (waving "Hi" from BC). Lantus is a much better insulin than Novolin, which isn't even on the list of insulins recommended for cats anymore. Good insulin for dogs, but the two species need different treatments. Unfortunately, a lot of vets aren't as up to date on feline diabetes. Lantus is available at most people pharmacies, and typically without a prescription. I'd get the vet on board with the idea first though.

What brand of glucose meter are you using? We might have tips for cheaper sources for test strips.

You don't have to use any of the foods references above for high carb food. My cat was allergic to wheat so used other options. This food chart contains a lot of the foods also available in Canada. We want under 10% carbs for low carb food, and 15% and above for high carb. Or you can use a drop of syrup, corn syrup or honey mixed in with a little bit of food.
Click to expand...

Thank you guys Hi from Nova Scotia:)I read that friskies "pate turkey and giblets dinner" is 37% protein and 5% carbs so that is what he is getting currently.A tually all 3 cats are getting this now sunce switching from purina dry food.
Can anyone confirm this blend of friskies is 5% carbs?

I am using a Contour next gen meter which i got from local sobeys along with the insulin pen and cartridges.Vet said to start at 2 units twice daily.

He has only recieved his 1 shot this morning,10.5 hrs ago at 2units(100iu/ml)and his glucose is currently 10mmol.2 hrs ago it was 5mmol.

My concern is giving him his next shot in 1.5hrs will push his sugar too low.Could i give him 2units in the morning then 1unit in the evening to see how that goes?
I do have oral syringes and pure maple syrup incase he goes below 3mmol..also dry cat treats and dry food.
 
We usually start Novolin at a lower dose. I think the idea of going to 1 unit for now, both AM and PM is a good one, until you can get syringes and do an in between dose. You don't really want him on a dose that takes him any lower than 5.0 (90).
 
Wendy&Neko said:
We usually start Novolin at a lower dose. I think the idea of going to 1 unit for now, both AM and PM is a good one, until you can get syringes and do an in between dose. You don't really want him on a dose that takes him any lower than 5.0 (90).
Click to expand...

Thank you.This is great info for me.I have since went with 1 unit 2 times per day(after meals)And his levels arent flucuating as much.Will continue this routine and monitor and post back in a day or two:)
 
He seems to be floating now from 15mmol in the morning then gradually down to 9mmol then back up to 15mmol by pm feed and shot time.This is at 1 unit once in am and again in pm.Any thoughts on this?Not sure if i should go to 2 units or stay at 1 for a bit...
I guess this is where i need a pen that goes in 0.5 units but i cant seem to gwt one and to be honest syringes make me nervous
 
Ricks said:
I guess this is where i need a pen that goes in 0.5 units but i cant seem to get one and to be honest syringes make me nervous
Click to expand...

@Ricks
They don't make pens like that you need to get

found this posted by a member about U-100 syringes with half unit markings from Canada
Check out your local pharmacy for the BD Ultrafine II syringes (purple and yellow box). Those are U100 syringes. If you have a Costco near you, check them out. Or Safeway pharmacy
333-320440__1.png
 
Last edited:
Checking back in.Ended up changing to Lantus and he is staying between 10-15mmol through out the day now @2 units twice a day.But is still peeing ridiculous amounts in litter box.Will the peeing slow down eventually?Or is it cause i need to get his glucose below 10?
 
15 (270) is probably above renal threshold, so they will pee more at that level. Renal threshold varies somewhat by cat but could be around 10 (180) or a little higher. If you could put together a spreadsheet showing you test values, we might have better suggestions on what is happening to cause him to pee so much.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
15 (270) is probably above renal threshold, so they will pee more at that level. Renal threshold varies somewhat by cat but could be around 10 (180) or a little higher. If you could put together a spreadsheet showing you test values, we might have better suggestions on what is happening to cause him to pee so much.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the reply and assistance.I understand the benefits of data input and spreadsheets,
but folks should understand not everyone has access to computers.Or perhaps they arent educated enough to navigate them to create the information required by this site.
Its a great source of knowledge for diabetic cats and it has helped me learn many things while trying to care for my buddy.But,its very frustrating trying to understand all the abreviations and requests for detailed spreadsheets and other info when i am unable to do so.Not all are computer savvy , but it seems everyone is expected to be these days ...no turning back from that now cant keep up with techknowledgy:)Imagine some people dont have a computer ot internet
Was just asking for some basic advice to to try and get him better.Thanks to those who tried to help
 
Last edited:
Ricks said:
Thank you for the reply and assistance.I understand the benefits of data input and spreadsheets,
but folks should understand not everyone has access to computers.Or perhaps they arent educated enough to navigate them to create the information required by this site.
Its a great source of knowledge for diabetic cats and it has helped me learn many things while trying to care for my buddy.But,its very frustrating trying to understand all the abreviations and requests for detailed spreadsheets and other info when i am unable to do so.Not everyone is computer savvy , but it seems everyone is expected to to be.
Was just asking for some basic advice to to try and get him better.Thanks to those who tried to help
Click to expand...
Ricks said:
Thank you for the reply and assistance.I understand the benefits of data input and spreadsheets,
but folks should understand not everyone has access to computers.Or perhaps they arent educated enough to navigate them to create the information required by this site.
Its a great source of knowledge for diabetic cats and it has helped me learn many things while trying to care for my buddy.But,its very frustrating trying to understand all the abreviations and requests for detailed spreadsheets and other info when i am unable to do so.Not everyone is computer savvy , but it seems everyone is expected to to be.
Was just asking for some basic advice to to try and get him better.Thanks to those who tried to help[/QUOTE
I hear you, I am old school, I am probably more clumsy than many of those members here, I learned thru trial and error, but the dedicated members in this Forum helped me, we can help you to set up the spreadsheet, trust me is one of the most important tools to be able to help you with dosing, I thank God for this Forum that saved my precious Corky back to excellent health, I trust the expert members blindly, it is possible for people like you and me, We are here, just ask and we will help every way we can to get your precious fur baby back to great health and heal those pacreas, it’s a slow process but feasable:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
Click to expand...
 
We have people here who can help you set up a spreadsheet, should you wish to do so. It can be accessed by phone or tablet as well. It doesn't have to be a computer. Just know that without it we will be limited in how much we can help you.

I hope we have given you some information that will help your buddy, and that he continues to improve.
 
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